Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield

US8986404B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• SOCIETE BIC · FR
• COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES · FR

Inventors

• Alain Rosenzweig · Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, FR
• Andrew J. Curello · Hamden, US
• Constance R. Stepan · Oxford, US
• Michael Curello · Clinton, US
• Paul Spahr · New Haven, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.